“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Smart advice from our German friend.

In a world awash in data, tutorials, classes, seminars, conferences, and other chances to learn about things instead of actually doing them, there is something to be said . . . → Read More: Forward Progress]]>

Climb Up The Rock from NeilsPhotography

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Smart advice from our German friend.

In a world awash in data, tutorials, classes, seminars, conferences, and other chances to learn about things instead of actually doing them, there is something to be said for lacing up your boots and starting up the hill.

I recently visited a friend who makes his living as a painter. There are paintings, sketches and other signs of his work throughout his house. Art in various stages of development is everywhere. He has built a large body of work that continues to grow every day. I was . . . → Read More: Dr. J, Building a Body of Work and Going Pro]]>

"Warhol Art in a Can" from jelene

I recently visited a friend who makes his living as a painter. There are paintings, sketches and other signs of his work throughout his house. Art in various stages of development is everywhere. He has built a large body of work that continues to grow every day. I was so impressed with evidence of his efforts. Once he gets his website back online, I’ll add a link to his work. (The Warhol can isn’t Micheal’s, I just thought it was cool.)

I would like to think that the reason I’ve let my blog become stale is because I am the parent of a young toddler or that my work responsibilities have increased now that the economy is less frightening than it was in 2009. While I have reached the time consuming “goaltender” stage of fatherhood and work has become more involved, the real reason is a lack of discipline.

It’s hard to keep sustained effort going on a blog (or a novel or a new business idea) when it’s easy to let the status quo dominate your day.

Right after visiting my artist friend, I also encountered the following quote from Julius Erving (Dr. J to basketball fans): “Being a professional is doing the things you love on the days you don’t feel like doing them.”

Dang Doc. That’s kind of sums it up.

So…I need to start blogging again. A lot. Even when I don’t really feel like it. Because that’s what professionals do.

While Tarantino and Rodriguez are great role models for creating content their own way and staying true to their unique voices, I LOVE the beginning of the video where Sam Raimi talks about DOING something related to making . . . → Read More: Advice on the Creative Process from Sam Raimi, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and Guillermo del Toro]]> How do you become a filmmaker, writer, artist, etc.? Grab a camera, notebook, paint brush, etc. and get started.

While Tarantino and Rodriguez are great role models for creating content their own way and staying true to their unique voices, I LOVE the beginning of the video where Sam Raimi talks about DOING something related to making a movie every damn day and, if you stick with it, you’re going to end up with a movie in no time. May not be a good movie. That’s okay.  Take what you’ve learned from what you’ve just made and do it again.

To Robert Rodriguez’s point about more competition: If you want to make a movie that grosses $200 million, he’s right. The competition is still overwhelming.

But, making movies (or comics or whatever) that are seen by a few thousand people and working toward eventually making small living doing it is completely possible with computers and the web for distribution and marketing.

You just have get off the couch, get started and be willing to suck for a while as you figure out which ever medium appeals to you.

Martha Graham by Yousuf Karsh, 1948

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be . . . → Read More: Martha Graham and Crash Davis Remind Us to Just Get the Work Done]]>

Bull Durham Movie Poster

Martha Graham by Yousuf Karsh, 1948

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.

No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is on a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”

–Martha Graham

“Don’t think Meat. Just throw.”

–Crash Davis from the movie Bull Durham

Not the white suspension bridge…the other thing. Any guesses? A pile of calf’s livers? A collection of kidney beans shaped like a man’s naughty bits?

That is a sculpture called National Velvet by John McEnroe and is a recent addition to Denver, Colorado’s collection of public art.

Neat, eh? . . . → Read More: Does Public Art Have a Responsibility to the Public?]]> What do you see in the picture to the right?

Not the white suspension bridge…the other thing. Any guesses? A pile of calf’s livers? A collection of kidney beans shaped like a man’s naughty bits?

That is a sculpture called National Velvet by John McEnroe and is a recent addition to Denver, Colorado’s collection of public art.

Neat, eh? I can’t make up my mind. Let’s discuss what I have decided to call the “Beanie Weenie.”

Pros:

• It’s not boring.
• It’s…um…not boring.

Cons:

• It’s a big phallic symbol right next to the main highway in the largest city in Colorado.

While every city can’t have public art from Frank Gehry as cool as this or this, do we really have to settle for a Beanie Weenie? This takes us back to the question I asked in the title of this post: Does public art have a responsibility to the public?

I would say the answer is a qualified yes. I am not going to argue that we should limit the subject matter for a public commission to bunnies, rainbows and snowflakes. But I will argue that when your artwork is part of a public place, it needs to be something that doesn’t make me shake my head and mutter, “wonder how many of my tax dollars some idiot, pointy-headed bureaucrat spent on that.”

And what about the notion art should challenge the viewer and not everyone is going to like it? That’s cool when you’re buying art for your own living room. Buy all the crazy stuff you want. If you are going to put it up for all of us to see and enjoy, you do owe all of us something. Respect maybe? Acknowledgment of the trust being placed in you to make our city look good?

At least the Beanie Weenie isn’t the emaciated, demonic horse-thing the city stuck out at Denver International Airport to greet new visitors to the Mile High City. Having that sculpture be the first thing you see when you leave the airport is like having your angry, drunk uncle dress up in a toga and greet the guests at your wedding as they arrive. Not the best way to make a first impression.

The city is marketing itself to visitors and current citizens with public art. What exactly is the gang at Denver Pubic Art Program trying to say to all of us?

This is a great interview with with painter and film director Julian Schnabel. It’s mostly about the film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.  Schnabel and Charlie give the . . . → Read More: Charlie Rose: An Hour with Julian Schnabel]]> I would kill for Charlie Rose’s job. He gets to talk with the smartest people in the world about their passions.  How cool would that be?

This is a great interview with with painter and film director Julian Schnabel. It’s mostly about the film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.  Schnabel and Charlie give the impression they are friends in real life and it adds to the intensity of the conversation.

Highlight:

> The poem Charlie reads at 41:03 was written by Schnabel’s dad right before he died. Watching Schnabel listen to his dad’s words is amazing.